Suprapontine mechanisms in regulation of respiration

¹ Departments of Anesthesiology and Neurosurgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City

The ventilation and blood acid-base balance of 19 cats were studied after supracollicular ablation of the forebrain and again after intercollicular transection of the brain stem. The first ablation caused a marked increase in the frequency of respiration, apparently unmasking a caudad facilitory influence through the removal of forebrain inhibition. Hypocapnic apnea could not be induced in this preparation. After intercollicular section there was a sudden fall in frequency, the ventilatory response to CO₂ was diminished and hypocapnic apnea was easily induced. It is concluded that a tonic facilitory effect on respiration originates in the rostral midbrain and adjacent diencephalon, possibly in the reticular activating system.

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